Elme Communities Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elme Communities (the “Company”) (NYSE: ELME), a multifamily REIT with properties in the Washington DC metro area and the Sunbelt, reported financial and operating results today for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022:

Full-Year 2022 Financial and Operational Results

• Net loss was $30.9 million, or $0.36 per diluted share
• NAREIT FFO was $60.9 million, or $0.69 per diluted share
• Core FFO was $77.3 million, or $0.88 per diluted share
• Net Operating Income (NOI) was $135.4 million
• Same-store Multifamily NOI increased by 8.8% for the year
• Effective blended Lease Rate Growth increased to 9.4% compared to 1.3% in the prior year
• Average Effective Monthly Rent per Home increased 7.6% compared to the prior year
• Same-store retention was 63%, up 3% compared to the prior year
• Same-store multifamily Average Occupancy was 95.6%, representing an increase of 30 basis points compared to the prior year

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

• Net loss was $3.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share
• NAREIT FFO was $18.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share
• Core FFO was $21.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share
• NOI was $36.9 million

Fourth Quarter Operational Highlights

• Same-store multifamily NOI increased by 11.6% compared to the prior year period
• Effective blended Lease Rate Growth was 5.7% during the quarter for our same-store portfolio, comprised of Effective new Lease Rate Growth of 1.1% and Effective renewal Lease Rate Growth of 10.1%
• Effective blended Lease Rate Growth was 7.0% during the quarter for our non-same-store portfolio, comprised of Effective new Lease Rate Growth of 3.0% and Effective renewal Lease Rate Growth of 13.3%
• Average Effective Monthly Rent per Home increased 9.7% compared to the prior year period
• Same-store retention was 62%, up 2% from the prior quarter, while achieving double-digit renewal lease rate growth
• Same-store multifamily Average Occupancy was 95.0%, in line with our targeted range

YTD Highlights

• The Board of Trustees increased our quarterly dividend by approximately 6% to $0.18 per share to be paid on April 5, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 22, 2023
• On January 10, 2023, the Company executed a new $125 million two-year term loan with two one-year extension options, using the proceeds to repay the previous $100 million term loan and a portion of the line of credit. The new term loan has an interest rate of adjusted SOFR plus 95 basis points. A $100 million portion of the new term loan will be effectively fixed at 2.16% by our interest rate swap through the swap’s expiration date of July 21, 2023.
• Effective blended Lease Rate Growth was 5.0% in January and 5.8% thus far in February for our same-store portfolio, reflecting an upward monthly trend that is in line with our expectations
• Same-store occupancy grew to 95.6% as of February 10, 2023

Transformation Update

• Expect to transition community-level operations for approximately 40% of our portfolio to Elme management by next week and expect to have nearly 55% of our homes internally managed by the end of the first quarter. The Company remains on track to complete the transition to Elme management by the summer of 2023.

Liquidity Position

• Available liquidity was more than $650 million as of December 31, 2022, consisting of availability under the Company's revolving credit facility and cash on hand
• Annualized fourth quarter net debt to EBITDA was 4.8x
• The Company has no scheduled debt maturities until 2025

"We ended the year with solid fourth quarter performance and 2023 is off to a good start, with strong operating fundamentals supported by favorable forward-looking demand indicators," said Paul T. McDermott, President and CEO. "We are reiterating our 2023 guidance for the highest annual NOI and FFO growth we've had in recent history, and looking forward, we are optimistic about the performance of our strategy across cycles. We believe our mid-level rents do not compete with new supply, and our portfolio allocation to the Washington metro provides employment loss insulation based on historic patterns. Given our strong position with historically high embedded growth, and our confidence in our outlook for this year and beyond, we are increasing our quarterly dividend by approximately 6%."

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

• Multifamily Same-store NOI - Same-store NOI increased 11.6% compared to the corresponding prior year period driven primarily by higher base rent and lower concessions. Average occupancy for the quarter decreased 90 basis points from the prior year period to 95.0%.
• Other Same-store NOI - The Other same-store portfolio is comprised of one asset, Watergate 600. Other same-store NOI increased by 7.1% compared to the corresponding prior year period due to higher rental income and lower operating expenses. Watergate 600 was 92.6% occupied and 92.6% leased at quarter end.

"Nearly 70% of our expected same store rental rate growth for the year is already locked in, and we are reiterating our very strong 2023 NOI growth expectations," said Stephen E. Riffee, Executive Vice President and CFO. "Our balance sheet is in excellent shape, with an annualized fourth quarter net debt to EBITDA of 4.8x, over $650 million of liquidity, no secured debt, and no debt maturities until 2025. As we head into the important spring and summer leasing seasons, we feel good about our ability to deliver double digit Core FFO growth in 2023 while continuing to execute on our long term strategy."

2023 Guidance

Management is reaffirming its 2023 Core FFO, which is expected to range from $0.96 to $1.04 per fully diluted share. The following assumptions are included in the Core FFO guidance for 2023:

Full Year 2023 Outlook on Key Assumptions and Metrics

• Same-store multifamily NOI growth is expected to range from 9.0% to 11.0%, which reflects year-over-year growth of 10% at the midpoint further building on the double-digit NOI growth achieved in the second half of 2022
• Non-same-store multifamily NOI is expected to range from $12.75 million to $13.75 million
• Other same-store NOI, which consists solely of Watergate 600, is expected to range from $13.0 million to $13.75 million
• Property management expense is expected to range from $8.0 million to $8.5 million
• G&A, net of core adjustments, is now expected to range from $25.75 million to $27.0 million, reflecting a $0.25 million decline compared to our prior guidance range
• Interest expense is now expected to range from $29.0 million to $30.0 million, which incorporates a higher interest rate outlook, as federal reserve funds expectations have shifted since we initially announced our 2023 guidance last year. Our revised interest expense assumption also incorporates the impact of our new term loan.
• No acquisitions are assumed in 2023. The Company has acquisition capacity and will update guidance if an acquisition is identified.

(a) Includes Carlyle of Sandy Springs, Alder Park, Marietta Crossing, and Riverside Development. Guidance does not contemplate any additional acquisitions or dispositions.
(b) Includes revenues and expenses from retail operations at multifamily communities
(c) Consists of Watergate 600
(d) Represents the expected final costs in 2023 related to the internalization of community-level operations

Elme Communities' 2023 Core FFO guidance and outlook are based on a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control and all of which are subject to change. Elme Communities may change the guidance provided during the year as actual and anticipated results vary from these assumptions, but Elme Communities undertakes no obligation to do so.

2023 Guidance Reconciliation Table

A reconciliation of projected net loss per diluted share to projected Core FFO per diluted share for the full year ending December 31, 2023 is as follows:

Dividends

On January 5, 2023, Elme Communities paid a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share.

Elme Communities announced today that its Board of Trustees has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share to be paid on April 5, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 22, 2023.

Presentation Webcast and Conference Call Information

The Fourth Quarter 2022 Earnings Call is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. Conference Call access information is as follows:

The instant replay of the Earnings Call will be available until Friday, March 3, 2023. Instant replay access information is as follows:

The live on-demand webcast of the Conference Call with presentation slides will be available on the Investor section of Elme Communities' website at www.elmecommunities.com. Online playback of the webcast and presentation slides will be available following the Conference Call.

About Elme Communities
Elme Communities (formerly known as Washington Real Estate Investment Trust or WashREIT) is committed to elevating what home can be for middle-income renters by providing a higher level of quality, service, and experience. The company is a multifamily real estate investment trust that owns and operates approximately 8,900 apartment homes in the Washington, DC metro and the Sunbelt, and owns approximately 300,000 square feet of commercial space. Focused on providing quality, affordable homes to a deep, solid, and underserved base of mid-market demand, Elme Communities is building long-term value for shareholders.

Note: Elme Communities' press releases and supplemental financial information are available on the Company website at www.elmecommunities.com or by contacting Investor Relations at (202) 774-3200.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in our earnings release and on our conference call are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Elme Communities to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Elme Communities to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: risks associated with our ability to execute on our strategies, including new strategies with respect to our operations and our portfolio, including our ability to realize any anticipated operational benefits from our internalization of property management functions; the risks associated with ownership of real estate in general and our real estate assets in particular; whether actual Core FFO, Core FFO Growth and NOI growth will be consistent with expectations; the economic health of the areas in which our properties are located, particularly with respect to greater Washington, DC metro region and Sunbelt region; the risk of failure to enter into and/or complete contemplated acquisitions and dispositions, or at all, within the price ranges anticipated and on the terms and timing anticipated; changes in the composition of our portfolio, including the acquisition of apartment homes in the Sunbelt markets; risks related to changes in interest rates, including the future of the reference rate used in our existing floating rate debt instruments; reductions in or actual or threatened changes to the timing of federal government spending; the risks related to use of third-party providers; the economic health of our residents; the ultimate duration of the COVID-19 global pandemic, including any mutations thereof, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, the effectiveness and willingness of people to take COVID-19 vaccines, and the duration of associated immunity and efficacy of the vaccines against emerging variants of COVID-19; the impact from macroeconomic factors (including inflation, increases in interest rates, potential economic slowdown or a recession and geopolitical conflicts); compliance with applicable laws and corporate social responsibility goals, including those concerning the environment and access by persons with disabilities; the risks related to not having adequate insurance to cover potential losses; changes in the market value of securities; terrorist attacks or actions and/or cyber-attacks; whether we will succeed in the day-to-day property management and leasing activities that we have previously outsourced; the availability and terms of financing and capital and the general volatility of securities markets; the risks related to our organizational structure and limitations of share ownership; failure to qualify and maintain our qualification as a REIT and the risks of changes in laws affecting REITs; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including our 2021 Form 10-K filed on February 18, 2022. While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements or risk factors to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.

This Earnings Release also includes certain forward-looking non-GAAP information. Due to the high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of some of the information excluded from these estimates, together with some of the excluded information not being ascertainable or accessible, the Company is unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable efforts.

The following tables contain reconciliations of net (loss) income to NOI for the periods presented (in thousands):

The following table contains a reconciliation of net loss to core funds from operations for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share data):

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gain/loss on sale of real estate, casualty gain/loss, real estate impairment, gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, gain/loss on interest rate derivatives, severance expense, acquisition expenses and gain from non-disposal activities and transformation costs. Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because we believe it helps investors and lenders understand our ability to incur and service debt and to make capital expenditures. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP and non-standardized measure and may be calculated differently by other REITs.

Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) is a non-GAAP measure. It is calculated by subtracting from FFO (1) recurring improvements, tenant improvements and leasing costs, that are capitalized and amortized and are necessary to maintain our properties and revenue stream (excluding items contemplated prior to acquisition or associated with development / redevelopment of a property) and (2) straight line rents, then adding (3) non-real estate depreciation and amortization, (4) non-cash fair value interest expense and (5) amortization of restricted share compensation, then adding or subtracting the (6) amortization of lease intangibles, (7) real estate impairment and (8) non-cash gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, as appropriate. AFFO is included herein, because we consider it to be a performance measure of a REIT’s ability to incur and service debt and to distribute dividends to its shareholders. AFFO is a non-GAAP and non-standardized measure, and may be calculated differently by other REITs.

Core Adjusted Funds From Operations ("Core AFFO") is calculated by adjusting AFFO for the following items (which we believe are not indicative of the performance of Elme Communities' operating portfolio and affect the comparative measurement of Elme Communities' operating performance over time): (1) gains or losses on extinguishment of debt and gains or losses on interest rate derivatives, (2) expenses related to acquisition and structuring activities, (3) non-share-based executive transition costs, severance expenses and other expenses related to corporate restructuring and executive retirements or resignations, (4) property impairments, casualty gains and losses, and gains or losses on sale not already excluded from Core AFFO, as appropriate, (5) relocation expense, (6) transformation costs and (7) write-off of pursuit costs. These items can vary greatly from period to period, depending upon the volume of our acquisition activity and debt retirements, among other factors. We believe that by excluding these items, Core AFFO serves as a useful, supplementary performance measure of Elme Communities' ability to incur and service debt, and distribute dividends to its shareholders. Core AFFO is a non-GAAP and non-standardized measure, and may be calculated differently by other REITs.

Core Funds From Operations (“Core FFO”) is calculated by adjusting NAREIT FFO for the following items (which we believe are not indicative of the performance of Elme Communities' operating portfolio and affect the comparative measurement of Elme Communities' operating performance over time): (1) gains or losses on extinguishment of debt and gains or losses on interest rate derivatives, (2) expenses related to acquisition and structuring activities, (3) executive transition costs, severance expenses and other expenses related to corporate restructuring and executive retirements or resignations, (4) property impairments, casualty gains and losses, and gains or losses on sale not already excluded from NAREIT FFO, as appropriate, (5) relocation expense, (6) transformation costs and (7) write-off of pursuit costs. These items can vary greatly from period to period, depending upon the volume of our acquisition activity and debt retirements, among other factors. We believe that by excluding these items, Core FFO serves as a useful, supplementary measure of Elme Communities' ability to incur and service debt, and distribute dividends to its shareholders. Core FFO is a non-GAAP and non-standardized measure, and may be calculated differently by other REITs.

NAREIT Funds From Operations (“FFO”) is defined by 2018 National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (“NAREIT”) FFO White Paper Restatement, as net income (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)) excluding gains (or losses) associated with sales of properties, impairments of depreciable real estate and real estate depreciation and amortization. We consider NAREIT FFO to be a standard supplemental measure for equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) because it facilitates an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to real estate depreciation and amortization, which historically assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values have instead historically risen or fallen with market conditions, we believe that NAREIT FFO more accurately provides investors an indication of our ability to incur and service debt, make capital expenditures and fund other needs. Our FFO may not be comparable to FFO reported by other real estate investment trusts. These other REITs may not define the term in accordance with the current NAREIT definition or may interpret the current NAREIT definition differently. NAREIT FFO is a non-GAAP measure.

Net Operating Income (“NOI”), defined as real estate rental revenue less direct real estate operating expenses, is a non-GAAP measure. NOI is calculated as net income, less non-real estate revenue and the results of discontinued operations (including the gain or loss on sale, if any), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, lease origination expenses, general and administrative expenses, acquisition costs, real estate impairment, casualty gain and losses and gain or loss on extinguishment of debt. NOI does not include management expenses, which consist of corporate property management costs and property management fees paid to third parties. NOI is the primary performance measure we use to assess the results of our operations at the property level. We believe that NOI is a useful performance measure because, when compared across periods, it reflects the impact on operations of trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs on an unleveraged basis, providing perspective not immediately apparent from net income. NOI excludes certain components from net income in order to provide results more closely related to a property’s results of operations. For example, interest expense is not necessarily linked to the operating performance of a real estate asset. In addition, depreciation and amortization, because of historical cost accounting and useful life estimates, may distort operating performance at the property level. As a result of the foregoing, we provide NOI as a supplement to net income, calculated in accordance with GAAP. NOI does not represent net income or income from continuing operations calculated in accordance with GAAP. As such, NOI should not be considered an alternative to these measures as an indication of our operating performance.

Other Definitions

Average Effective Monthly Rent Per Home represents the average of effective rent (net of concessions) for in-place leases and the market rent for vacant homes.

Average Occupancy is based on average daily occupied apartment homes as a percentage of total apartment homes.

Current Strategy represents the class of each community in our portfolio based on a set of criteria. Our strategies consist of the following subcategories: Class A, Class A-, Class B Value-Add and Class B. A community's class is dependent on a variety of factors, including its vintage, site location, amenities and services, rent growth drivers and rent relative to the market.

• Class A communities are recently-developed, well-located, have competitive amenities and services and command average rental rates well above market median rents.
• Class A- communities have been developed within the past 20 years and feature operational improvements and unit upgrades and command rents at or above median market rents.
• Class B Value-Add communities are over 20 years old but feature operational improvements and strong potential for unit renovations. These communities command average rental rates below median market rents for units that have not been renovated.
• Class B communities are over 20 years old, feature operational improvements and command average rental rates below median market rents.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio is computed by dividing earnings attributable to the controlling interest before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, real estate impairment, gain on sale of real estate, gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, severance expense, relocation expense, acquisition and structuring expenses and gain/loss from non-disposal activities by interest expense (including interest expense from discontinued operations) and principal amortization.

Debt to Total Market Capitalization is total debt divided by the sum of total debt plus the market value of shares outstanding at the end of the period.

Earnings to Fixed Charges Ratio is computed by dividing earnings attributable to the controlling interest by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income from continuing operations (or net income if there are no discontinued operations) plus fixed charges, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (excluding interest expense from discontinued operations), including amortized costs of debt issuance, plus interest costs capitalized.

Ending Occupancy is calculated as occupied homes as a percentage of total homes as of the last day of that period.

Lease Rate Growth is defined as the average percentage change in either gross (excluding the impact of concessions) or effective rent (net of concessions) for a new or renewed multifamily lease compared to the prior lease based on the move-in date. The "blended" rate represents the weighted average of new and renewal lease rate growth achieved.

Recurring Capital Improvements represent non-accretive building improvements required to maintain a property's income and value. Recurring capital improvements do not include acquisition capital that was taken into consideration when underwriting the purchase of a building or which are incurred to bring a building up to "operating standard". This category includes improvements made as needed upon vacancy of an apartment. Aside from improvements related to apartment turnover, these improvements include facade repairs, installation of new heating and air conditioning equipment, asphalt replacement, permanent landscaping, new lighting and new finishes.

Retention represents the percentage of multifamily leases renewed that were set to expire in the period presented.

Relocation expenses represent costs associated with the relocation of the corporate headquarters to a new location in the DC metro region.

Same-store Portfolio Properties include properties that were owned for the entirety of the years being compared, and exclude properties under redevelopment or development and properties acquired, sold or classified as held for sale during the years being compared. We categorize our properties as "same-store" or "non-same-store" for purposes of evaluating comparative operating performance. We define development properties as those for which we have planned or ongoing major construction activities on existing or acquired land pursuant to an authorized development plan. Development properties are categorized as same-store when they have reached stabilized occupancy (90%) before the start of the prior year. We define redevelopment properties as those for which we have planned or ongoing significant development and construction activities on existing or acquired buildings pursuant to an authorized plan, which has an impact on current operating results, occupancy and the ability to lease space with the intended result of a higher economic return on the property. We categorize a redevelopment property as same-store when redevelopment activities have been complete for the majority of each year being compared. We currently have two same-store portfolios: "Same-store multifamily" which is comprised of our same-store apartment communities and "Other same-store" which is comprised of our Watergate 600 commercial property.

Transformation Costs include costs related to the strategic shift away from the commercial sector to the residential sector, including the allocation of internal costs, consulting, advisory and termination benefits.

CONTACT:
Amy Hopkins
Vice President, Investor Relations
E-Mail: ahopkins@elmecommunities.com